These days there is a great deal of buzz in the news about the future of the automive industry with more and more hybrid cars, plug-in hybrid cars, electric vehicles, and diesel-electric hybrids coming onto the scene. There is so much information to wade through. We at hybrid.com have compiled a list of some of our favorite resources on the web to learn about hybrid cars.

If you know of other good hybrid car resources, please feel free to comment and tell us where you learn about hybrid cars.

The Chevy Volt is due to be in production by late next year. The Nissan LEAF won't be far behind. How do these electric vehicles work? Do they use gasoline at all? Do you just plug them in in your garage to any household outlet? Will everyone really be driving electric vehicles in a few years? What makes an electric vehicle different from a gasoline-powered vehicle?

True, an electric vehicle is a vehicle that runs on electricity and has zero emissions. For a full explanation on what an electric car is: read here.

For now, electric vehicles are very expensive. The Chevy Volt electric vehicle is expected to cost around $40,000 which is prohibitive to many car shoppers. For reasons on why this new technology is so expensive and how electric vehicles may come down in price in the coming years: read here.

Some advantages to buying an electric vehicle would be that we would not be dependent on foreign oil, there will be tax incentives for buying electric vehicles, and we would be contributing to a greener environment since an electric vehicle has zero emissions. Electric vehicles also have less parts to break and are easier to maintain than their gasoline powered counterparts.

In summary, electric cars will definitely be a part of our transportation future. What remains to be seen is whether or not they will be the solution of our transportation future.

Maintaining a vehicle is no longer as easy as it used to be. With rising fuel costs more and more car owners are finding it difficult to make ends meet. To meet the challenges posed by ever increasing fuel costs and pollution, car manufacturers are trying hard to come out with effective solutions.

What are hybrid vehicles?

Any vehicle that combines two or more sources of power to exact propulsion power is a hybrid. Moped is a type of hybrid vehicle because it combines the power of a gasoline engine with the pedal power of its rider.

Most locomotives are diesel-electric hybrids. Diesel-electric buses which draw electric power from overhead wires and fall back on diesel when away from wires are also hybrid vehicles. Giant mining trucks are often diesel-electric hybrids.

Hybrid cars A hybrid car is run by a small fuel-efficient gas engine coupled with an electric motor. The motor is powered by batteries that recharge automatically during a drive. Its function is to assist the engine when the engine is accelerating. The motor also helps to slow the car by a method called regenerative braking. In this mode, the electric motor acts as a generator and charges the batteries while the car is moving, slowing down or not running at all.

New hybrid cars are also equipped with unique features like periodic engine shut off. This feature enables the engine to shut off for a while when the car is held up in traffic, and restart automatically when you put it back into gear. Logically, the more electricity the car uses, the lesser fuel it consumes.

To help reduce the drag the cars also have latest aerodynamics features and low rolling resistance tires. Also, to enhance its efficiency it is built of lightweight materials. The lighter a vehicle is the less energy it needs to propel itself forward. New hybrid cars are designed in a way to fit snugly into modern lifestyle. To the viewing public they are attractive, stylish and uniquely fashionable.

Most hybrid cars today are based on gasoline-electric power drives. PSA Peugeot Citroen, the French car maker is working on a future hybrid car with a diesel-electric power combination.

Toyota Prius is, today, the best selling hybrid on the market. Hybrid cars of other companies include, Accord and Civic by Honda; GS 450h, LS 600H L, RX 400h SUV by Lexus; Aura Green Line and Vue Green Line by Saturn; Altima by Nissan; Camry, Prius and Highlander SUV by Toyota; Escape SUV by Ford and Mariner SUV by Mercury.